São Vicente

Cesaria Evora | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 5, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA Victor
• ASIN: B00005B9U7
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,099 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #6 in Music > World Music > Africa > Cape Verde
  • #7 in Music > Indie Music > World Music > Africa
  • #20 in Music > World Music > South & Central America > General

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

With her haunting singing style--a zesty Luso-African mélange of Bessie Smith and Billie Holliday--the Cape Verdean singer Cesaria Evora put the moving and melancholy musical genre called morna on the map with her critically acclaimed recordings Miss Perfumado and Cafe Atlantico. São Vicente is named for Evora's island homeland and is augmented with percussion, rhythm section, strings, and horns. Evora's songs of love and longing range from the classy midtempo strains of "São Vicente Di Longe" and the carnival dances of "Nutridinha" to the beautiful piano/vocal duet "Negue" with Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés. She also swings the Cuban danzon/cha cha cha on "Lindo Mimosa" with the celebrated Cuban group Orquesta Aragon. The singer rocks with R&B handclaps on "Hommen Na Meio Di' Homen" and testifies on the gospel-influenced "Bondade e Maldade." Her duets with Brazilian Caetano Veloso on "Tiempo y Silencio" and "Regresso," and with American legend Bonnie Raitt, add more flavors to this tasty musical dish. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Product Description

15 songs

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars gentle rhythms and good vibrations, September 21, 2003

By 

Alejandra Vernon "artist & illustrator" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: São Vicente (Audio CD)

This CD is balm for the soul, as Cesaria's warm voice hugs you with her lilting melodies and Brazilian rhythms; though some of the songs have wistful themes, it is uplifting music, and would set a lovely mood for a friendly gathering.
There are some guest artists on a few tracks: Canary Island singer/songwriter Pedro Guerra joins Cesaria in his "Tiempo y Silencio", and his smooth voice makes a wonderful blend with Cesaria's. This is the only song on the CD that is sung in Spanish (the rest are in Portuguese).

"Regresso" is a marvelous duet with the great Brazilian artist Caetano Veloso, and the arrangement for this song is fabulous, with terrific solo piano and guitar work.
"Negue" is exquisite in its simplicity, with Cesaria accompanied by Chucho Valdez (who is known as "The Duke Ellington of Cuba") on piano, and "Linda Mimosa" has the backing of the famous Cuban band Orquesta Aragon. Perhaps the weakest track on the CD is the duet with Bonnie Raitt; it doesn't quite work, with Raitt sounding a little uncertain and out of place.

There is a gentle tenderness to Cesaria's voice, and an honesty in her clear tones. By the time one gets to the gorgeous "Fada", which is perhaps my favorite track on the CD, one will simply love this woman.The musicianship is excellent throughout, as is the sound.
The booklet insert has all the lyrics in their original language and translated into rather clumsy English (they have translated "Sabor de Pecado" as "Peach Flavor" for instance), as well as photos of Cesaria, who though she would not be classified as pretty, has an extraordinary strength and beauty in her face. Total time is 64'24. Put it on when you are feeling sad, and feel it lift your spirits, and fill your heart with esperança e amor.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't stop playing it!, June 15, 2001

By 

"guynoire" (Tucson, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: São Vicente (Audio CD)

I got to this album via Armando Garzon, Omara Portuondo and the Buena Vista Social Club. In other words, someone whose musical taste I trust said, "If you love those, you'll love this." She was right. A bit more mellow, a bit more melodious but with a great beat and a terrific voice, Cesaria Evora is great listening any time--car, beach, party, intimate dinner. Get one and kickback!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New directions, July 19, 2001

By 

J. Kerr "Social Worker" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: São Vicente (Audio CD)

Similar to the way Cafe Atlantico took off in a slightly different direction, Sao Vicente also expands the modalities of Evora's musical celebration. This is a great album for a party or for dancing. Many of the songs have a Latin or Brazilian rhythm to them and depart from Evora's idiosyncratic plaintive expression. Not all of the songs follow this track and there is plenty of the forlorn, deep, beautiful and touching expression fans are used to. I listen to the album and can hear the many ways in which Evora has been touched by fame and notoriety. She wants to share her joy and excitement with the world, without giving up her integrity as a musician. Her duet with Bonnie Raitt is beautiful as well as her work with ChuChu Vales. This is a great choice!!!